UN chief calls for renewed efforts to protect global ecosystems

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The spread of non-native species is harming ecosystems, livelihoods and economies around the world, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said last week in a message to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity, calling for renewed effort to protect life on earth.

UNITED NATIONS, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The spread of non-native species is harming
ecosystems, livelihoods and economies around the world, UN Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon said Friday in a message to mark the International Day for Biological
Diversity, calling for renewed effort to protect life on earth.

Ban said the global decline in biodiversity "remains alarming, despite
agreement at the (2002) World Summit on Sustainable Development to significantly
reduce the rate of loss by 2010," citing deforestation, habitat changes and land
degradation, often linked to climate change's growing impact, as the main
drivers of biodiversity loss.

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But another threat, which is the focus of this year's observance of the
International Day, is the spread of invasive alien species, he said.